Utah lawmakers ban hookahs, e-cigarettes

Tuesday , March 18, 2014 - 11:39 AM

Contributed

SALT LAKE CITY-- Hookahs and e-cigarettes would be banned in public places under a bill that is awaiting the signature of Gov. Gary Herbert.

Republican bill sponsor Rep. Brad Last of Hurricane says House Bill 245 will allow existing hookah bars to operate for five years as long as they have a liquor license and don't permit anyone under 21 years old to enter.

The so-called e-cigarettes allow the user to heat nicotine, herbs or other substances and ingest the active ingredients without actually burning the substance.

With hookahs, tobacco is heated in a pipe, drawn through a bowl of water, and inhaled through a hose.

The bill Senate 24-3 Thursday.

Protesters outside of the state Capitol smoked hookahs earlier this month to object to the prohibition.